One of the biggest contributors of retaining weight is salt.
Most people know that salt is also known as sodium, but you want to look for things listed as compounds like sodium-bicarbonate, monosodium-glutomate, and sodium-(fill in the blank).
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) says the daily recommended intake of sodium should be 2,400 m.g.
One teaspoon of salt contains 2,000 m.g. just to give you an idea.
The average American adult consumes between 4,000 and 6,000 m.g. of sodium daily.
Too much sodium forces the kidneys to retain water rather than getting rid of it, and it becomes part of the cellular fluid in the body. Depending on your current weight this retention can be from 5 to 10 pounds or higher. The heavier you are the more water you will retain.
Add to that a diet that is high in fat and the excess pounds increase at a rapid rate.
Sodium is also known as "The Silent Killer" due to its contribution to high blood pressure, but it should also be known as the "The Hidden Killer".
Many "natural" foods also contain salt but you probably don't know. Foods like kosher meats (chicken, beef, and lamb), milk, cheeses, some vegetables and fish all have sodium.
The best thing you can do is get used to cooking at home. At the very least you should have breakfast and dinner at home as much as possible because you can control what goes into your food. If you used canned goods do not add anymore salt. Lunch is a little more challenging unless you take leftovers to work.
If you do go out to lunch with co-workers, then stick to your guns and eat as healthy as possible. Many sandwich shops now have healthy alternatives to the standard fat-filled fare, and many Chinese restaurants offer steamed vegetables that are not soaked in sauce.
Watch out for soy sauce as well. Even the low sodium versions still have a high sodium content.
Salads are the best way to go for lunch because they won't make you sleepy, they're nutritious and a good source of fiber. However, avoid any thick creamy dressings. Go with a vinegarette.
Did you know that your fast food burger, fries, and milkshake packs 1,400 calories?
You would have to walk 10 miles to burn that off! If you like fast food I really hope you like walking.
Speaking of walking, which is actually the easiest way to lose weight, you want to make sure you've got the proper shoes and above all else make sure they are comfortable. You'd be amazed at how far you can walk as long as your feet don't hurt.
Let's take a look at some that you can buy for your home without breaking your bank account.